Workout of the Day

Sep 27

All Roads Lead to Strength

Unsurprisingly, I spend a good amount of time absorbing fitness-related content. Through conversation, listening to podcasts, reading articles, etc., there are a handful of patterns that I’ve picked up on in other individuals’ fitness journeys. One that tends to show up more than the rest is the discovery of the importance of strength.

The story goes something like this: “So I was doing some running, but eventually got bored with that. Then I discovered this high intensity conditioning program online and followed that for a few months -- it was crazy, it absolutely crushed me, but I loved it -- but a couple months in I started to get all of these nagging injuries that wouldn’t go away, and I wasn’t improving much. So I talked to a coach and he suggested I start this strength program, so I did just that for a few months, and then started mixing the high-intensity conditioning in with that and saw huge improvements in my performance and no major issues with injuries, and that’s what I’ve been doing to some degree ever since.”

The story is rather similar to my own, and it’s one that I’ve heard over and over, from current professional athletes to coaches to recreational athletes. The takeaway isn’t necessarily the order or the specifics of the training, but the fact that strength training comes in to save the day, and then sticks around for the long haul. Literally every person on planet Earth can benefit from strength training, from the ultra-endurance athlete to the senior struggling with mobility to the recreational softball player just wanting to be a little better at her hobby. Strength is itself a target in some sports (i.e., many athletes are interested in getting stronger just for the sake of getting stronger), but it is also a quality that carries over into virtually every other physical endeavor. The ultra-endurance athlete benefits from strengthening his hips and legs to protect his joints from the massive number of repetitions he undergoes and to develop a more efficient stride, allowing him to move faster and further. The senior benefits from improved mobility and functionality in general, as well as the massive downstream effects of strength training on motor control, balance, stamina, and general health (side note: leg strength is one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality, even above factors like diabetes, smoking, and cholesterol). The recreational softball player develops greater power in her swing, speed, and healthier and more durable shoulders.

We hold strong to the importance of developing strength in our programs, as we understand it is one of the most universally beneficial and relevant physical qualities we can train. And while it not may be your sport of choice or your favorite activity, we can guarantee that it’s going to help get you where you want to be.